bad bards diffusing constant role

Urchin Legacy

Backgrounds Player’s Handbook (2014)

You grew up on the streets alone, orphaned, and poor. You had no one to watch over you or to provide for you, so you learned to provide for yourself. You fought fiercely over food and kept a constant

I eat like a pig and have bad manners. 6 I think anyone who’s nice to me is hiding evil intent. 7 I don’t like to bathe. 8 I bluntly say what other people are hinting at

Criminal / Spy Legacy

Backgrounds Basic Rules (2014)

. Even criminals who operate outside of such organizations have strong preferences for certain kinds of crimes over others. Choose the role you played in your criminal life, or roll on the table below

. 4 I have a “tell” that reveals when I’m lying. 5 I turn tail and run when things look bad. 6 An innocent person is in prison for a crime that I committed. I’m okay with that.

Orc Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

orcs can be dominated by evil creatures of immense power, and they accept this subservient role either because they are forced to or because it offers them a measure of security while they engage in

stand against the wave. Orc Culture and Beliefs Orcs live in constant fear of their gods, and their behavior is rooted in that mentality. They believe that they can see the influence of the gods

Bard

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Xanathar's Guide to Everything

? Ah, then what manner of music they would bring to this world! — Fletcher Danairia, master bard Bards bring levity during grave times; they impart wisdom to offset ignorance; and they make the

ridiculous seem sublime. Bards are preservers of ancient history, their songs and tales perpetuating the memory of great events down through time — knowledge so important that it is memorized and passed

Urchin - Baldur's Gate

Backgrounds Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus

learned to provide for yourself. You fought fiercely over food and kept a constant watch out for other desperate souls who might steal from you. You slept on rooftops and in alleyways, exposed to the

a pig and have bad manners. 6 I think anyone who’s nice to me is hiding evil intent. 7 I don’t like to bathe. 8 I bluntly say what other people are hinting at or hiding

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

give them a broad range of knowledge to support their schemes. Bards, rogues, and wizards are often drawn to this role. Safecracker. The “breaking” part of “breaking and entering” is the Safecracker’s

, and Persuasion. The charlatan background is perfect for Talkers, but criminals, urchins, and others can fill the role with the right skills. Bards are a natural fit for the job as well.

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

in both Persuasion and Intimidation prove helpful in this role. Bards, paladins, and sorcerers have both the requisite talents and the ability to supplement their interrogations with magic

backgrounds such as criminal, sage, soldier, or urchin, regardless of the role they play in a group. Consider some or all of these roles for characters in your party: Client. When a routine investigation goes

Lords' Alliance

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Basic Rules (2014)

agents include sophisticated bards, zealous paladins, talented mages, and grizzled warriors. They are chosen primarily for their loyalty and are experts in observation, stealth, innuendo, and combat

’ Alliance fights the things that the shopkeeper in his bed has never even heard of. We remove threats before the town mayor even knows about it. We make bad things go away. That’s what we’re good at.” Rameel Jos

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

can be a crucial skill, which many characters in this role combine with magical means of scrying to learn about their enemies and objectives. Bards and wizards make natural Investigators, especially

cloak or disguise one’s appearance), and proficiency with skills such as Deception, Performance, and Sleight of Hand all greatly benefit the Chameleon. Bards and rogues, as well as characters with

Natural Druids

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

’ magical heritage also expresses itself in other ways; those who become bards preserve the clan’s lore, and firbolg sorcerers defend their communities. Firbolg wizards arise when a clan becomes

. Firbolg barbarians are rare except among clans that face constant threats from evil humanoids and other invaders. Firbolg clerics and paladins are usually dedicated to nature gods and are seen as

Dwarves

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

dwarves have revered Moradin and sought to follow in his footsteps. Through constant, steady work, they strive to emulate the perfect example set by the originator of the arts and skills the dwarves pursue

raw materials around them and thereby unlock the beauty that hides within. Moradin is also worshiped as the All-Father, in acknowledgment of his role as the progenitor of the dwarven race. In this

Yuan-ti Pureblood Legacy

Species Volo's Guide to Monsters

common apes. Although some purebloods are able to reproduce with humans, most are disgusted by the idea and would do so only if seduction is necessary for a pureblood to preserve a role as a confidant or

’ serpent gods into their religions. These victories sent a constant influx of food, ore, and slaves back to the home cities. The wealth of the empire allowed the ruling elite plenty of time to

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

firsthand experience with the creatures, cultures, forces, and histories being investigated, and the best way to get that is in the field. This role is similar to the Scholar, but the Field Researcher is

ballrooms, boardrooms, and seedy taverns, willing to do whats necessary to get what they need. Those in this role often exude Charisma and might be adept with the Deception, Intimidation, and Persuasion

Dark Fantasy

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

keep in mind the role of heroes and ensure places for light in your dark fantasy domain. If a domain holds no place for hope, there’s also little call for resistance and meaningful plots. In addition

and evil are blurred. Choices involve deciding which outcome is least bad. Corruption and suspicion flourish among organizations and individuals. Magic and magic items might be rarer or require a

Foreword

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Waterdeep: Dragon Heist

. We’ve visited Waterdeep before, but not like this. Clever heroes will respect the city’s rules. Those who get on the city’s bad side are in for a rough time, as the City of Splendors is home to some of

before work on the adventure was scheduled to begin. Matthew Mercer, whom you might know from the livestreamed show Critical Role, lent us his boundless imagination and helped flesh out the villains and

Mood of the Town

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

Mood of the Town Saltmarsh is a place of constant energy. Few of the common folk are so affluent that they can afford to sit idle. At sunrise, the docks bustle with fishers preparing to venture out

d20 Result 1–6 Poor Catch. The townsfolk are frustrated and prone to bickering; everyone is in a bad mood. 7–12 Bountiful Catch. Music and merriment echo through town as everyone celebrates. 13–20

Orc Culture and Beliefs

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

Orc Culture and Beliefs Orcs live in constant fear of their gods, and their behavior is rooted in that mentality. They believe that they can see the influence of the gods everywhere in the world

around them, and the priests of a tribe are entrusted with the responsibility of identifying these signs and omens — both good and bad — and deciding how the tribe should react to them. As a race, orcs

Personal Impact

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Personal Impact As players develop characters in an Eberron campaign, you can work with them to determine the role that the war played in their background. Here are a few topics for conversation

: Military Service. Did the character fight in the war? If so, which nation did they serve and what role did they fill? If more than one of the characters fought in the war, did they serve together (or as

Strahd von Zarovich

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Dungeon Master’s Guide

constant companion. In his brother, Strahd saw everything he was not. Resentment colored their relationship and eventually turned into hatred. Strahd’s beloved, Tatyana, spurned Strahd for Sergei, whom

since his transformation, Strahd’s lust for life has grown. He broods in his castle, cursing the living for all he has lost and never admitting to his role in the tragedy. KATERINA LADON The Summer

Horror in Your Game

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft

tales, but what place do they have in your D&D game? As a DM, you determine what place horror has in your adventures. Consider the following topics and how this book can aid you in determining the role of

attention for both of us. We’ve found no trace of Vhorishkova since arriving, but I feel her watching. It’s like she’s everywhere. It’s bad here, Uncle. Not snake-headed hogs bad. Like, full Delmunster

Matriculating from the Schools of Magic

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

school can help define your role in the business, as well as your fellow franchise members’ expectations for you. Abjuration Protective magic is often underappreciated by the members of the lesser

party members, your role as an abjurer is always greatly appreciated. Just don’t make the rookie mistake of protecting everybody else before you take care of yourself and the goods. And if you need to

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Charisma to work in the service of the state. These characters often come from a noble background and bring proficiency in skills such as Intimidation and Persuasion to their work. Bards are natural fits in

this role, as are paladins—as long as they aren’t asked to do things that violate the tenets of their oaths. Marshal. Combat is the specialty of the Marshal, who focuses on enforcing the law of the

Build Your Group

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Persuasion (or sometimes Intimidation) and Religion can be useful for this character. Many clerics fill this role, but devout bards can also be effective Teachers. Some Teachers bring skills from the

demons they are hunting. Characters with access to divination magic (including clerics with the Knowledge domains as well as wizards) might excel at this role. Many Scholars come from the sage background

Factions in Athas

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Princes of the Apocalypse

important common values and work toward the same end: the destruction of slavery. They fulfill something like the role of the Order of the Gauntlet in Athas. The Free are not directly concerned with

bureaucracy of a specific city-state can serve a similar role in a Dark Sun conversion of this adventure. The city-state most immediately concerned with the rise of a dangerous magical cult in the Great

Survival Skills

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Volo's Guide to Monsters

itself to give its fellows time to collapse a nearby tunnel and prevent invaders from getting to the rest of the tribe. All kobolds know that fleeing from danger, especially against bad odds, is the smart

into this role by its peers — is just hoping to slow down the invaders long enough to give the rest of the tribe time to prepare a lethal trap, an ambush, or a quick getaway. The tribe’s leader is

All for One: The Clan

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

vigilant warrior; the clan needs a wide range of labor and talents to meet all the needs of the group. Filling the second role are an equally large number of dwarves whose occupations involve the crafting of

role takes years to master it. A weaponsmith starts work in the forge, providing manual labor to haul ore from the mines and learning how to repair tools. The dwarf might then work in the mines, pushing

Khoravar

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

communication and cooperation between members of different cultures or species. Khoravar who follow this philosophy often become bards, diplomats, mediators, or translators. Others are fascinated by their

associated with House Lyrandar or House Medani, but you’re more interested in the role the house plays in supporting Khoravar communities than in the work of its guilds. 10 You ride with the Valenar, hoping one day to prove that you are worthy of taking on a patron ancestor.

Redcloak Battalion

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Eberron: Rising from the Last War

Battalion. This elite unit fought at the forefront of the Last War, and Brelish bards still sing of the exploits of Khandan the Hammer and Meira the Huntress. At the end of the war, the battalion was split

bitterly. Thrane. In the waning years of the Last War, the Redcloaks played a major role in the devastating Battle of Cairn Hill between Brelish and Thrane forces. Thanks to heavy losses on both sides, veterans of that battle tend to nurse bitter grudges against their enemies.

Levistus

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes

in the Blood War engage in constant skirmishes across the ice, and yugoloths and other mercenaries from across the planes play a key role in the struggle. Both sides sometimes employ adventurers to

that need to sharpen their combat skills or improve their endurance before reporting to Avernus for duty in the Blood War spend time in Stygia. The cruelly cold environment, combined with the constant

Fensirs

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants

, the giants’ incursion became a part of the eternal battle that rages across the plane. The trolls, whose fundamental nature was altered by constant regeneration and rebirth amid the energy of Ysgard

seems like a transparently bad idea. What were those giants thinking? —Bigby And yet, can we fairly say that the existence of fensirs is “transparently bad”? Some might argue they are a

Ephara's Influence

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Mythic Odysseys of Theros

, the god of the sea, because Ephara recognizes the necessity of water for a thriving polis. She also admires Purphoros’s craft, realizing the essential role of the forge and other forms of industry to

build a city. Ephara and Nylea are almost polar opposites, and there is no shortage of bad blood between the god of the cities and the god of the hunt. Nylea resents the construction of every

Ascendant Factions

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse->Sigil and the Outlands

all divine power. Faction Attire. Defiers wear geometric, starry fabrics that hint at their astral ties. They adorn their outfits with silver chains and broken holy symbols. Role in Sigil. The Athar

. Bleakers dress in gloomy, drab color schemes. Frayed clothing and weather-beaten gear are common. Role in Sigil. The Bleak Cabal’s headquarters is the Gatehouse, a fortress of healing and respite in

Acquisition as a Holy Chore

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Acquisitions Incorporated

campaign, but a few select gods, goddesses, and otherworldly powers might play a larger role. Abbathor This dwarven deity of greed gets a bad rap. Because seriously, greed is just another form of the

the rhetorical question, “Would you rather be lucky or good at something?” Because no matter how good you are, you’ll eventually have the bad luck of facing off against someone who’s a whole lot

What You Need

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Player’s Handbook

What You Need Here’s what you need to play D&D with one or more friends (a typical group has five people): Dungeon Master. One person takes on the role of the Dungeon Master (DM), the game’s lead

useful: DM Screen. Many DMs like to use a screen to shield their notes and dice rolls from players. It’s bad manners to peek over the screen! Miniatures and Battle Grid. Some DMs use a battle grid and

Life in the Styes

Compendium - Sources->Dungeons & Dragons->Ghosts of Saltmarsh

, blood and offal from butchers, lye and fur from tanners, and indescribable chemical mixtures from alchemists. In the eastern portion of the Styes, the pollution is so bad that the river’s flow has been

organized faith exists in secret in the Styes, and it plays a central role in the adventure — the cult of Tharizdun. Health Disease and infection are real concerns in the Styes. Most residents suffer

D&D Beyond

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